To swaddle or not?

[Dogsmom]

I'm pregnant with my first and am getting so bogged down by conflicting advice, naturally I'm concerned about cot death and minimising risks and would like to hear any opinions on what to sleep the baby in?

At first I heard that swaddling them was a good thing because of the sense of security but then saw an episode of One Born Every Minute and the MW was telling new mums off for swaddling as it was too restrictive and could cause overheating, then last weekend the assistant in mothercare said that I SHOULD swaddle her and count it as 1 blanket.
I've got one fleece type swaddle blanket that looks a bit like a hot water bottle cover with 2 velcro fasteners, (it's not tight) but now I'm concerned about whether to use it or not.

Not talking from experience - DC1 is due next week - but I have got some fairly thin cotton swaddles from Gro which are specially shaped. They seem to really know their stuff about baby temperature etc.

It says to use with a vest & sleep suit but no blankets on top and that should be warm enough in 20c house (obviously they advise to check baby's temp too).

I've also got some XL muslins for swaddling.

The Gro ones don't use Velcro or any fastening like that as I think that can make it more restrictive for the baby and easier to do up too tight. Also you can swaddle under-arm too so it's less restrictive.

I'm not sure about fleece ones, they might be v warm. Although what you have sounds more like a wrap around blanket than a swaddle.

PS am planning to swaddle for a few months then switch to baby sleeping bags. Seem easier than blankets, sheets etc.

Check tk maxx for cheap swaddles.

Hi - there was a discussion www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/1556911-Latest-midwives-episode-swaddling a few months ago after people were left a bit confused and alarmed after an episode of Midwives, where mothers were being told not to swaddle, but I think the babies in the programme were over-wrapped and put next to radiators!

I've bought a merino swaddle off Ebay and plan to use that for first few months

I have swaddled both mine and will be doing with new baby when she arrives.
With ds born in nov I swaddled using a Moses basket cellular blanket on top of a vest & sleep suit. Dd was born in the middle of a heat wave in July and she was swaddled in a large muslin on top of her nappy.
Do not use a fleece swaddle blanket, it's too hot for indoors unless you have no central heating.

There's nothing on the SIDS website about swaddling, so presumably if it was a huge no-no, there would be.

It was a godsend for me, so I would again like a shot, but just be sensible about temperatures.

I'm not in UK but advice here from midwives is not to swaddle. However after much research I chose to as I felt it would make ds feel more secure. I did swaddle from birth and ds loved it. When he was out of the swaddle he would wake lots and so I do think it helped. Like you, I was very concerned about overheating so I used very large muslin cloths to swaddle him in instead of blankets. you can get large muslin swaddles in most baby shops and look out for the bamboo ones which are very soft. Ds still sleeps with his swaddle as a security blanket so he has gotten very attached.

I've read some babies hate being swaddled (I think I would, sounds really claustrophobic to me!)

I'm planning on reading up on it more, but did read somewhere not to bother investing in a proper swaddling blanket until you've figured out if your baby likes it, you can just use a sheet

I swaddled DS and am planning on swaddling this one, too. It was the only way he would sleep!!

I swaddled by first for the first few weeks but after that I think he preferred to spread out a bit more so I stopped. I will be doing the same with this one when it arrives although some babies don't like being swaddled so I will just play it by ear.

I think the concern about swaddling is that baby can overheat. I was told its best to use a cellular blanket to swaddle (one with holes in) so air can get in and avoids overheating. I actually found the ones they use at hospital were prefer as they were the prefect size, cellular and had a good stretch to them.

I am not sure a fleece would be the best material as might get too hot.

I think it depends on the baby. My first hated being swaddled whereas my second absolutely loved it.

I swaddled ds1 (full then half swaddle) for 6 months and ds2 for 3 months (he didnt like it when he hit 3 months) - i used a large muslin sheet

When my dd was born she was really unsettled with her arms flailing around, the HV showed me how to swaddle her with an ordinary baby blanket and my dd was really happy with it.

the SIDs website does have info about swaddling and says this:

A recent study* suggested that swaddling may be an emerging risk factor for SIDS. More research is needed but parents should be cautious. If you decide to swaddle your baby, don't cover their head and only use thin materials.

fsid.org.uk/page.aspx?pid=779

www.mothercare.com/Fleece-Blanket-Moses/Crib/LU0839,default,pd.html?dwvar_LU0839_color=Cream

Blanket was like one of these, so was fleece.

I am sure you will hear many contrasting views on everything once your baby is born.

Swaddling saved our sanity, DD barely slept without it. I couldn't recommend more making sure you have something in the house to swaddle with - we used the Summer SwaddleMe - just in case. If your baby likes it, they'll probably love being swaddled and it will be an instant improvement.

in the USA they advise us to swaddle with a thin blanket (I've got a ginormous muslin for it), if we swaddle. Some babies love it, some hate it, some love it for a bit and THEN hate it (mine, for some reason after 10 weeks he didn't like it any more) ... but it was worth a go in the early weeks!

I swaddled last time and intend doing the same this time. My dd slept much more soundly when all snug.

When I had dd 5 yrs ago It was advised not to use Sleeping bags until 6 mths. Not sure what current advice is but I know plenty people who used sleeping bags from birth.

Firstly never, never, never listen to someone from moth are over your midwife

IMO its like everything else you make a judgement call, mine liked it, when they stopped liking it they let me know.